Ingredients for the cure
A real quick tip to help you get the smell out of your high-mileage shoes.
We all know that long runs in the hot sun or even short runs in the rain will give our shoes a funk that is tough to get rid of. Here is a quick tip that works well for me. Take an old pair of long sock with no holes and fill them half way with kitty litter. Tie off the top of the socks and stick them in your shoes after each run. Bingo - the litter soaks up the moisture and odors.
No doubt the winter is the hardest time to continue your training. Although warmer temperatures are starting to show up in the US, there are still some cold days ahead. Here are a few suggestions to help you get out and run.
- Set a goal. Pick a reason to run. It may be a race in the spring or simply a time goal. You need to run for something other than to keep you skinny. It's too cold and too dreary not to have an motivating goal in mind.
- Get out early. You don't want to hear this, but get up and get it done. If you leave it until the end of the day, you'll have all day to think of an excuse not to get out. After running early you will feel great the rest of the day because no matter what happens that day, you'll at least had a good run. Morning is also a time that doesn't interfere with the rest of the family. Most of the time they never even knew you were gone.
- Go shopping. Treat yourself to some new running gear. Buy things that make your winter runs more comfortable. Winter is the best time to buy as well because everything is going on sale to prepare for the spring gear. Set a goal that a certain amount of miles earns you a prize. 100 miles gets you a new jacket or 50 miles some new socks.
- Cross-train. Adding some variety to your training will keep you excited and get you in much better shape. Avoid the cold weather and take advantage of indoor facilities. Look into what else you can do. For example, swimming is great activity to improve your flexibility, strength and general fitness and is not weather dependent. Make sure to work out and strengthen that all-important core.
- Wrap up Layer, layer, layer. Make sure you wear the proper gear for the weather ahead. Check the temperatures and forecast before you head out. Walk out the door and check, you'd be amazed how much better you dress if you check outside first. It's always better to wear too much than to go out too light. You can always wrap a jacket around your waist.
- Train with a friend. This is great for companionship or for rivalry, or both! Using a running partner will keep both of you motivated. You can check each other’s performances and and chat along the way. You are much less likely to miss a session if you have planned to go with a friend.
A date has been set for this year's Las Vegas Marathon. Fireworks will start the race at Mandalay Bay on Sunday, Dec. 7th at 6:00am.
Registration is already underway. The race will be broadcast live in several regions that morning.
One of the pleasures of running is the ability to observe everything as you trot along. You see little subtleties that you wouldn't notice as you race past in a car. I have run the same routes dozens of times and I always see something new and interesting each time. Here are some examples of trees that might look normal at 60mph, but they’ll give you a good excuse to stop for a breather if you see them in the wild.
Nothing unusual, just a beetle on a tree.
This sign still surprisingly legible considering it is about to be swallowed completely.
For good luck, hikers push a penny into this old log.
Look closely; the tree has actually grabbed the basin and lifted it off the ground.
You know those neighbors that never take down their Christmas lights?
This is what will eventually happen.
This is definitely the best bike lock I’ve ever seen.
For fences with a similar effect, see these unusual fences
will usually do the trick.
